Design/Development Engineer

Microwave Power Products, Inc.; Palo Alto, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) match

Commuter benefits

EV charging

Paid time off and holidays

Training and growth opportunities

Job summary

Microwave Power Products, Inc. in Palo Alto, CA, seeks an RF Microwave Engineer I/II to build real RF/microwave devices in production, bridging design, testing, and manufacturing.

This hands-on role focuses on CCTWTs at the intersection of RF, vacuum systems, and advanced manufacturing. You will own projects from concept to production, work with manufacturing, and apply RF, vacuum, and materials knowledge to improve yields, reliability, and build efficiency.

Qualifications

• A degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• Ability to obtain/maintain a DoD security clearance.
• Experience in manufacturing, lab, or production environments or hands-on technical background.
• Comfort managing technical projects with increasing independence.
• RF/microwave principles, vacuum science, and manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

• Support and advance current production and next-generation CCTWT development.
• Document processes and implement design-for-manufacturing improvements.
• Participate in mechanical, RF, and vacuum system design and analysis.
• Contribute to concept, design, testing, and validation of new CCTWT products.
• Own technical projects through concept to production transition.
• Identify issues, implement corrective actions, and drive cost reduction.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing during pilot builds and first production runs.
• Develop and improve engineering processes and work instructions.

Skills

RF/microwave principles

Hands-on engineering

Technical communication

Independent worker

Builder mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics

Tools

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

ANSYS

Maxwell

Job description

RF Microwave Engineer I/II – Hands-On, Hardware-Focused (Palo Alto, CA)

Work on rare, mission-critical tech - Coupled Cavity Traveling Wave Tubes (CCTWTs) used in defense and advanced communications.This is a hands-on engineering role where you’ll move betweendesign, testing, and manufacturing, working directly with real hardware not just simulations.

What makes this role different:

Build & improve real RF/microwave devices in production

Own projects fromconcept → production

Work at the intersection ofRF, vacuum systems, and advanced manufacturing

Tight collaboration with manufacturing (not siloed engineering)

We’re looking for Engineer I candidates:

Mechanical, Electrical, or Physics background

Hands-on experience (lab, manufacturing, internships, or industry)

Interest in RF/microwave, vacuum systems, or hardware development

Engineer II candidates (3–5+ years) may also have:

Experience owning technical projects or major components

Background in manufacturing, testing, or product development

Ability to work independently and drive improvements

Pay: $75K to $110K depending on experience and leveling

Must be a U.S. person (export-controlled technology)

We are hiring at the Engineer I or Engineer II level depending on experience, scope, and demonstrated hands-on capability.

Microwave Power Products, Inc. (MPP), headquartered in Palo Alto, California, is a global manufacturer of electronic components and subsystems focused primarily on communications and defense markets. With a heritage of technological excellence that spans decades, MPP develops, manufactures and globally distributes innovative and reliable technology solutions used in the generation, amplification, transmission and reception of microwave signals for commercial and military applications. MPP serves customers in the communications, defense, medical, industrial and scientific markets.

YOUR DAY TO DAY (Role Summary)

This is not a generic engineering role. You’ll work onCoupled Cavity Traveling Wave Tubes (CCTWTs)-highly specialized vacuum electron devices that sit at the intersection ofRF engineering, vacuum science, precision manufacturing, and advanced materials. These are mission-critical technologies used in demanding communications and defense environments, where performance, reliability, and precision matter.

At MPP, engineers don’t sit far from production. You’ll be directly involved indesign, testing, manufacturing transition, and continuous improvement, working hands-on with real hardware and real systems — not just models and documentation.You get the agility of a focused, technically deep site, backed by the scale and stability of TransDigm, a global aerospace leader.

WHAT YOU'LL DO (Responsibilities)

You’ll support and advance both current production and next-generation CCTWT development.

Support the production of existing CCTWT devices through process documentation, refinement, and design-for-manufacturing improvements

Participate in development programs involving mechanical, RF, and vacuum system design and analysis

Contribute to the concept, design, testing, and validation of new CCTWT products and associated components

Own technical projects through multiple phases of development, from concept through production transition

Identify design and process issues, implement corrective actions, and drive cost reduction, yield improvement, and build efficiency

Work directly with manufacturing during pilot builds and first production runs to ensure smooth engineering-to-production handoff

Support production through product improvement initiatives, reliability enhancements, and process optimization

Develop and improve engineering processes and work instructions that enable consistent, high-quality builds

Partner cross-functionally with Quality, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Program teams to meet technical and business objectives

• Support other related engineering duties as assigned

This role sits at the core of product realization.Your engineering decisions directly impact manufacturability, performance, and reliability.

YOU ARE A STRONG FIT FOR THIS ROLE IF YOU HAVE THESE PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS

A degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field

Ability to obtain/maintain a DOD Security Clearance

Experience in a manufacturing, lab, or production environment (or strong hands-on technical background through internships, research, or applied projects)

Comfort managing technical projects with increasing independence and accountability

RF/microwave principles

Vacuum science and vacuum systems

Materials (metals, ceramics) and process engineering

Manufacturing and build processes

Familiarity with machining and joining processes such as milling, turning, brazing, and welding

Experience with (or ability to learn) engineering tools such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, ANSYS, Maxwell, or similar platforms

Strong technical communication skills (written, verbal, and cross-functional)

A builder mindset: you enjoy solving real problems on real hardware

High initiative, strong work ethic, and a collaborative, team-oriented approach

This position may involve access to information subject to U.S. export control laws (ITAR/EAR). Access to certain controlled information may be limited to individuals who qualify as “U.S. persons” (generally U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and certain protected individuals). Non-U.S. persons may still apply; however to be eligible for the role, access to controlled information may require U.S. government authorization.

Applicants must be able to comply with applicable export control requirements. For security clearance position, the candidate must be a US citizen with the ability to obtain a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Security Clearance as required, holding a security clearance is a plus.

WHY ENGINEERS CHOOSE MPP

Work onrare, specialized technologythat few engineers ever get exposure to

Real ownership of products.

Tight integration between engineering and manufacturing

Hands-on learning in RF, vacuum electronics, materials, and advanced manufacturing

Long-term technical growth opportunities

Stability and investment backed by a global aerospace organization, without losing site-level agility

WHAT WE OFFER

Salary of$75K to $110K depending on experience and leveling

Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage

Generous 401(k) match

Commuter benefits within the Stanford Research Park

Complimentary EV charging

Paid time off and holidays

Training and opportunities for skill development and growth

OUR WORKPLACE COMMITMENT

We value the unique and diverse skills, qualities, and backgrounds that each employee brings to MPP, and we respect each employee as an integral member of our growing team.MPP is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all current and prospective employees, as well as to promoting a culture of inclusion and respect for everyone. We celebrate the innovation that diversity creates in the work environment, and we recognize that each employee brings their own unique capabilities, experiences, and perspectives to the organization. It is this variety that adds value to our teams, as well as to our stakeholders. We welcome and encourage applicants to reach their full potential with us.

MPP is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and .

This Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by law. Information on race, gender and national origin will only be used for statistical and recordkeeping purposes, and will not be used in making any employment decisions. All information provided will be kept separate from your expression of interest. Providing this information is strictly voluntary, and you will not be subjected to any adverse action or treatment if you choose not to provide this information. If you do not choose to answer these questions, we ask that you select "Decline to Identify" for each question. Thank you for your voluntary cooperation.

Schedule

Full-time

Requisition Number

26-547